Meeker County, Minnesota - Chapter 4: Teeritorial and State Officees, 1888 (part 6 of 11)

Meeker Couxty, Mixxesota

February, 1851, to Ellen Craft, by whom he had five children, as follows - Mary Alice, born July 21, 1853 ; Lydia S., born March 18, 1801 (;died in ISSl); Cora Ellen, born September 9, 1863; Jessie, born February 15, 186(1, and Ida Elizabeth. l)orn June 25, 1858. Ida E. married Alexander T. Caraccioli, a salesman in a wholesale music store in New York City ; Cora E. married Ilorton Parsons, born in this State, who has charge of a railroad station in Dakota; and Jessie married Lewis Haiidlin, railroad station agent at Hancock, Minn. They have all been school teachers. Mr. Belknap's second marriage occurred on the 16th of August, 1874, when he wedded Sarah J. Mead, a daughter of Daniel and Eleanor Mead. Her first husband, Martin A. Mosier, was killed in the rebeUion ; her father was a soldier in the war of 1812. Her mother is still alive, a resident of New York State. Mr. Belknap's peo])le are all dead except one brother, who is a bookkeeper in Newberg, N.Y. Mr Belknap is one of the best posted and educated men in the county. In ]iiilitical uiatters he is a republican.

^OL. J.ACOB M. HOWARD, owner of the Howard House, and other property in the village of Litchfield, including his beautiful residence. Lake Side, on the shores of the lovely Lake Ripley, received his military title for services rendered in the Union army during the late war. He came to Meeker county in 1867, and purchased a farm in the town of Greenleaf, where he remained until 1872, when he removed to Litchfield and erected the first independent elevator on the line of this railroad. He was engaged in the dual occupation of buying and shipping grain and carrying on his farm until 1879, when lie sold the latter. In 1880, he erected the Howard House at an outlay of someS19,000, which he has always leased. In 1886 he ]Hirchased forty five acres of land on the l)anks of Lake Ripley and erecte<i his family mansion, one of the most beautiful in this section of the State. In 1887 he retired from the grain trade, and contents himself with looking after his other interests and afl'airs.

Colonel Howard is a native of Detroit, Mich., born July 16, 1812, and is the son of Hon. Jacob M. and Catherine (Shaw) Howard. The father of our subject was a lawyer by profession, a native of Vermont, who had settled in Detroit in 1836, and for twelve 3'eai's was one of the United States Senators from Michigan. Mrs. Catherine Howard, the mother of the Colonel, wtis a native of Massachusetts.

The subject of this personal history received his primary education in the schools of his native city, and at the age of sixteen entered Union College, at Schenectady, X. Y., where he passed some three years. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted as a private in Comj)any F, Twenty-fourth Michigan Infantrj", but for gallant and meritorious conduct was rapidly promoted from rank to rank, until he became the assistant Adjutant General at the headquarters of the Twentythird Army Corps, then under command of Major-General Hartsiiff, with the ra)d< of Lieutenant-Colonel. In this position he served until the close of the war, after which he went into the wholesale grocery business in Chicago, but two years later, his health failing, he gave up that line of trade and came to Meeker county, as above stated.

The Colonel, who is active and enterpi'ising, is alwaj's foremost in any movement that is likely to accrue to the benefit of the comnmnity. He was one of the ])rincipal t)rganizers of the Woolen Mill Company, and was the fii'st president of the board of directors. He is a stockholder in the Creamery Association, and vice-president of the company. He was elected maj'or of the city of Litchfield in 1SS5, and served one term, but has but little political aspiration. The Colonel is an influential member of Frank Daggett Post, No. 35, and of the Litchfield Dramatic Association, of which he was one of the originators.

Col. J. M. Howard and Miss Emma Penno\'er were united in marriage in October, 1868. The lady is a native of New York State, and is the daughter of Truman Pennoyer, of Meeker county.

PAUL M. PAULSON.a resident of section 32, Acton township, was one of the noble " Boj's in Blue," who enlisted from Meeker county during the civil Avar. Mr. Paulson was born in Norwaj' on the 18th of Pebruarj', 1S3S, and is a son of Mathias and Mary Paulson, both natives of the same country. In l85T tliey removed to Canada, whei'e Paul remained until the spring of ISGO, Avhen he settled at St. Paul, Minn. There he I'emained at work until fall, Avhen he was joined by his parents, and they all came to Acton township. Meeker county, and the father selected a homestead. Paul remained with his parents most of the time, Avorking for different farmers during the summer months, until the 7th of June, 1862, when he enlisted in companjr E, Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and Avent into service. He remained with his company untilJune, 1863, Avhen he was taken sick and Avas transferred to the invalid corps. He Avas finally discharged on the 7th of June, 1865, and returned to the home of his iiarents.

On the 14:th of September, 1865, he Avas married to Miss Amelia Peterson, the ceremony being performed in St. Paul. His wife Avas a native of Sweden, born October 6, 1843, and was a daughter of Andrew and Sophia Peterson. After their marriage the couple lived with Mr. Paulson's parents until the folloAving spring, Avhen Paul moved upon a homestead Avhich he had taken on section 32, Acton township, Avhere he still liA^es. He no\s owns a fraction over 13i acres of land, a good share of which is under cultiA'ation. Mr. and Mrs. Paulson have had nine children, as folloAvs - Mary, born Jvily 10, 1866; Ma! bias, born August 11, lS68,died November 11, 1870; Matilda, born February 12, 1871; Edward, born June 27, 1873 ; Carrie, born October 9, 1875 - Emma, born March 5, 1878 ; Eda, born August 10, 1880; Leonora, born December 13, 1882: and Arnold, born May 22, 1885. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, of Avhich they are active supportei's. Mr. Paulson takes an active interest in all matters affecting the welfare of his township and is one of its leading citizens. In political matters he supports the republican party.

UGUST JORDEN, afarmer who at present resides on section IS, in Greenleaf toAvnship, but Avho expects in a short time to remove to Cosmos, is a native of Sweden, and Avas born on the 20th of June, 1861. He left his native land in 1880 for America, and upon his arrival first settled in Minneapolis, Minn., Avhere he remained for about two years and ahalf. At the expiration of that time he settled at Litchfield, in Meeker county, and remained there until 1883, Avhen he purchased the place Avliere he noAV resides, on section 18, Greenleaf toAvnship.

The parents of Mr. Jorden Avere also natives of Sweden. The}' remained in the land of their birth until 1882, when they came to the United States, and noAV live Avith August. August, the subject of this sketch, is a single man. In religious matters he attends the Lutheran Church, and in politics he is a re-

TaCOB C. INMAN, residing on section ^ 29, ilanannali township, a liigldy resijocted and thrifty agriculturist, is a native of Butler county, Iowa, and was born on the 20th of February, ISJS. His parents were Americans, and they were among the first settlers in that county. Their names were John and Catiiarine (Ullery) Inman.

Jacob spent his early life in his native county, ami in June, 18C9, came to Meeker county, ]\linn., with his parents and the}' settled on section 20, Manannah township. There Jacob remained for eight years and then removed to section 29, and six years later he settled on his ])resent farm in the same section. He has eighty acres of land and has been very successful in his farming operations, also carr3'ing on stock-raising to a limited extent.

On the 11th of JSTovember, 1884, Mr. Inman was married to Miss Susan Porter, and their marriage has been blessed with two children, the names of whom are Elsie and Malinda. Tiie children are both living.

JEWETT, one of the oldest living settlers of Meeker county, and one of its most historical characters, was born at "NVardslioro, Yt., June 9, 1827, and is the son of Tiiomas and Sylvia (Ilaradon) Jewett. His father was born on the same farm Mav 1, 1794, and died in

May, 1873; the motlier, whose birtii took place at Norton, Mass., November 25, 1799, died March 2, 1877. The paternal grand father of our subject, Thomas Jewett, was a sergeant in the Continental Army under Wasliington, and the maternal grandfather followed Gen. Israel Putnam across Charleston Neck after the battle of Bunker Hill, and afterwards helped fortify Dorchester Heights, which caused the evacuation of Boston. The latter, Isaac II. Ilaradon, lost his father at the massacre of Fort William Henry, and married Miss Annie Stone.

The parents of the subject of this sketch moved to Steuben county, N. Y., in early life, and were married there. Tliey removed back to A^ermont after the biitii of their second ciiild, but in 1829 emigrated again to Steuben county, N. Y., where tliey eventually died. Carloss was reared and educated in the district schools of that section, and, being of a studious mind, absorbed much information, spending his evenings in mathematical studies at the family fireside. At the age of eighteen he commenced teaching school, but the next three years attended the academies at Addison and Genoa. He then worked at civil eno'ineering' on the New York Central railroad until 1851, when he went to the Isthmus and ran the preliminary survey for the Panama Pailroad, spending one year there, and participated in the capture of San Loren Castle. Returning to his home, he was engaged in various raih'oad and telegraph works, until 1856, wjien became to Minnesota. He arrived at Forest City June 20,1856, with but $16.19 in his i)ocket, and June 27 took a claim on section 31, Forest Cit}' township. He was appointed sheriff in the summer of 1857, and was afterwards elected to the same office. He took a ]iart in the Indian troubles in 18(')2, as detailed elsewhere, and with his wife ke})t house the farthest west of all the settlers. Tiie next year he spent on the "abandoned lands" of Louisiana, where he raised cotton. He then made his home on his farm until April, 1SS7, when he moved to Litchfield, and in May, 1S8S, took a tree-claim on land adjoining the village. lie has held the office of register of deeds of this county and various town offices.

The Colonel was married November 10, 1859, to Miss Annie, daughter of Pomeroy and Harriet (Buell) Warren, who was born in Wyoming county, N. Y., May 13, 1833. She has recentl}' parted from her husband through the machinations of lier friends, as have six out of eight of her sisters. They had no children, but have raised several orphans. Among these is Emma Jewett, the famous equestrienne, who was born in Chautauqua county, October 3, 1860, and is the daughter of Charles Peterson, a Scandinavian, who was killed in the army. After his death his family came to Minnesota, and in 1870 the Colonel adopted the little girl. She learned to ride on the farm and gave her first exhibition in public at Minneapolis, in 1880. She is now living in Syracuse, N. Y.

©OCTOR J. H. KAUFFMAN, the leading representative of the medical fraternity located at the village of Dassel, is a native of Newburgh, Cumberland county. Pa., born October 29, 1859, and is tlie son of Henry and Mary (Wilkins) Kauffman, both of whom are also natives of the " Old Keystone State." The father of our subject has been for many years in the drug business at JSTewburgh, and is still carrying osi that business. The Doctor received his education in his native town, and, as he grew older, was taken into the store Ijy his father, where he gi'ew to be a proficient clerk. On attaining his majority his father gave him a copartnership, and the firm name was changed to Kauffman & Son. In the fall of 1S81 our subject matriculated at Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, and remained there throughout the terms of 1881 and 1882. He then entered the New York University, from which he was graduated in March, 1884. Returning to Newburgh, he opened an office in his native town, in connection with the drug business, an interest in which he still retained, but m 1887 sold out there with the intention of removing to Dakota, but, on his arrival in Minneapolis changed his mind and came to Dassel, and commenced practice in January of that year. He has gained the confidence and esteem of the people of the village by his honorable principles and excellent judgment, and the surrounding country have a deep regard for his general success, and his practice has already assumed good proportions and is on the increase. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having been made a Mason in Big Spring Lodge, No. 361, at Newville, Pa.

OHN W. BENTON. Among the settlers of 1867 may be classed Mr. Benton, of Kingston township, who makes his home on his fine farm on section 10, where he carries on general farming.

The subject of this sketch is a native of Oswego county, N. Y., born August 15, 1836, and is the son of John W. and Welthy (Widgar) Benton, natives of the Empii-e State and England, respectively'. About the year 1836, the father of our subject removed to Pennsylvania, where Joiin W., Jr., was brought up. His mother remained in York State, and our subject never saw her again, although he heard of her as beino- alive in the fall of 1SS7. His father died of consuni])- tion about 1840. He was a carpenter by trade. After his death, our subject went to live with his grandparents, with whom he remained until he was eight j'ears old, at wiiirli oai'ly age lie may l)e said to have coiiunenced the battle of life for himself. He i)assed liis time for the next nine yeai's in workino: at farm work and in e-oino- to school, after which for sevei'al summers he was employed upon the Pennsylvania Canal.- Thinking in the great West there was a better show for him, he came in this direction, and locating in "Wisconsin, went to work for a man bj' the name of Winchester, of Winnebago county. He made his home in that part of the countr}^ until ISfil, part of the time engaged in the lumber business, but upon the Sth of September, of that year, he enlisted as sergeant in Company C, Fourteenth Wisconsin Infantry, and passed with that regiment, through the "baptism of fire," at Shiloh, in April, 18G2. He was discharged September 10, lSt)2, on account of injuries received in the field, but Februaiy 13, 1865, he re-enlisted in the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, from which he was discharged September 5th, following. After being mustered out, Mr. Benton settled in Fond du Lac county, in the Badger State, where he remained until he came to Meeker county.

The subject of our personal narrative was married December 25, 1861, to Miss Julia Pratt, a native of Cortland county, N. Y., and daughter of Joshua and Ann (Rumsey) Pratt. Her parents, who were natives of Connecticut and New York, respectively, moved from New York when Mrs. Benton was but five years of age, to Illinois, from there to Wisconsin, and finally to Minnesota, where the fatiier died in 1883. Her mother died three years previously in AYisconsin. Mrs. Benton, whose birth took place July 3, 18-t4, \vas reared and educated in Fon du Lac county, Wis.

By this marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Benton are the parents of six children - Manan U. S.; Ida May, Mrs. Jcseph Manson, residing in Washington Territory; Ella J., wife of

George Walter, now living in Mille Lacs county, this State ; Roy E., Stella R., and Wealth3' Aurelia. Mr. Benton is a republican in his ])olitics.

2T AMES W. POLK, an old settler and ^ respected farmer residing on section 18, Forest Prairie township, was born in Bullitt county, Ky., October 14, 1809, and is a son of Edward and Margaret (Brown) Polk. His fatiier and mother were the parents of a large family of children.

The subject of this sketch spent his school da3's in his native county, receiving a good education, anil at one time began the study of medicine. In 1830 he went to Louisville, Ivy., and there learned the cooper's trade, which he afterward followed for about forty years. From 18-11 until 1816 he conducted his shop in Chicago, and then engaged in the dairy business near the same city. In 1857 he came to Minnesota and located in Jordan, wliere he remained about two veal's, and then went to Henderson, where he was engaged in the coopering business, and remained until October, 1866, when he came to Meeker county, and located on his present place in Forest Prairie township. He has a good-sized farm, and devotes his attention chiefly to general farming, although in the past he has given considerable attention to stock raising. Mr. Polk is a democrat in politics, and is one of the leading citizens of the township in which he lives. He is a member of the Church of God, in Avhich he has been a deacon for thirteen years or more.

Mr. Polk was first married on the 3d of January', 1831, to Miss Eliza Chastine. She gave birth to one chihl, Charles Wesley, and died when tiie child was three days old. The child died in infancy.

In 1841 our subject was married to Miss Zillah Brinton, with whom he lived for fortytwo years. She died on the 3d of July, 1883, and was buried in Forest Prairie township. Her age at the time of her death was seventy -five years.

On the lltli of November, ISSl, Mr. Polk was married to Mrs. Mary C. Irwin, of Indiana, his present wife. By her former marriage she had two daughters, both of whom married, and each became a Mrs. Powley.

His third wife, Zillah, had one son that married Mr. Polk's daughter, Nancy C, and they had six children, all of whom lived but one. Their father being a soldier, their mother as well as themselves were left to Mr. P<jlk's care ; so that in his later years he raised five children.

IpLON. JONATHAN BURNETT SALISJr^ BURY, the present county surveyor, was l.)orn in the State of New York, in 1824, and is the son of Dr. Gideon and Phoebe (Bui-nett) Salisbury. His father died when he was a mere infant, and he was brought up under a mother's care. When he was about two years old she moved to New Jersey, but later settled at Brooklyn, N. Y. His motlicr died in 1S50.

The subject of our sketch, in 1845, having studied thoroughly in tlie mathematical line, and mastering the profession of surveyor, went to Ohio, where, the following spring, he enlisted in the First Ohio Regiment of Volunteers, and served his one year's term of service in the Mexican war, with the little column under Genei-al Zachary Taylor. He wasdiscliargedat New Orleans, in the spring of 1847, but returned to Mexico, in the quartermaster's department, and was at the City of Mexico when the war closed. He returned to Ohio, where he made his residence until the spring of 1850, when he removed to Iowa, where he lived for six years, engaged in public surveys in various parts of Iowa, "Wisconsin and Minnesota. While running township lines through what is now Meeker county, in the summer of 1855, he was so much pleased with the country that he stuck a claim stake, on sections 18 and 19, in what' is now Kingston township. At that time there were no other people, except those of surveying parties, within the limits of the county. Ileturning to his home in Scott county, Iowa, in October, of that year, he there passed the winter, but in the spring of ISoT). he started for his new-found Eden with his family, which consisted of his wife, Margaret L. (Weymer) Salisbury, and one child, Frank L. They were accompanied by his father-in-law, Jacob Weymer, Sr., his wife and two sons - Jacob Jr. and Josejjh. Mi-. Salisbmy had brought all his goods with him, and the trip consumed about one month. To one large, Avide tracked wagon were hitched four yoke of oxen, and to another wagon a team of horses was attached. A good share of the time was spent in getting through the "big Avoods," there being no other road than a trail, and a good deal of chopping was necessary. This trail was cut so that one team could barely get through, and is the same that for 3'ears was known as the "Old Territorial Eoad." The party, however, finally reached the claim, and their first work was to get up a little cabin, the remains of which still mark the spot. This was one of the very first houses erected in the county. Here they settled and here he carried on farming for years. At the time of the Indian outbreak, he left the farm and went to Kingston which he helped to fortify. Foi" two weelcs the family occupied a house, and then all the refuiiees who had o-athered there spent their nights in the grist mill, was being used as a fort. Mr. Salisbury reniainecl at Kingston for about one niontii, wlien his family returned to the old home in Iowa, and he enlisted in the " Mounted Eangers," or First Minnesota Cavalry, and served through the Indian troubles on tlie borders, one year. He then enlisted in Hatch's Independent Battalion of Minnesota Cavalry for three years or during the war, and served on the frontier. IT})on being honorably discharged in the spring of 1861), he again returned to his farm and cultivated it until Jjine, 1875, when he removed to Litchfield, where he has since lived. In ISGS he was elected to represent his district in the Legislature, and made a ci'edi table record. In 1870 he was elected county surveyor, and has either held that office or been deputy most of the time since. Mr. Salisbury is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic and takes an active interest in all its affairs. He and his wife have a familv of eight children.

«sIDREVV EVENSON, an enterprising fanner residing on section 7, Greenleaf township, is a son of Hans and Christine Evenson, and a native of Norway, born October 30, 181:7. A full sketch of his parents, who M-ere prominent old settlers of Meeker count}', will be found elsewhere in this volume. Andrew came to the United States with his parents in 1857, and they first settled in Scott county, Minn., and remained there and in AVright county for three years, and at the expiration of that time located in Meeker county. The father took a claim on section 8, in what is now Greenloaf township, where Andrew spent his youth, in the same industrious and frugal manner common to the 3'outh of his nationality. He was with the family through all the horrors of

In 1876 he was mai'i'ied to Matilda Bjorhns, a daughter of OleK. and Mary Bjorhus. She w;is born in Norway, September 23, 1851, and came to the United States in 1871. Five children have blessed their uni(m - Hans 0., born March 22, 1877; Martha C, born August 6, 1878 ; Frederick E., born April 4, 1881 ; Petra Anette, born November 25, 1883, and Olga M., born January 25, 1886. IVIr. Evenson is at present (1888) chairman of the board of township supervisors, and is also a member of the board of directors of the Farmers' aiul Merchants' Cooperative Elevator Association. He has taken an active interest in all public matters, and is to-day one of the leading citizens of his township. He has a valuable farm where he devotes his attention to general farming and stock-raising, in Avhich he has been very successful, as he has accumulated a comfortable property through his own industry and careful management. In his younger days Mr. Evenson had but slight educational advantages, only having the privilege of attending school twenty-three days. His natural ability and self-educational efforts, however, have not been in vain, and he has thoroughly mastered the English language, and acipiired a varied and general fund of useful knowledge.

fAMES P. DAVIS, an enterprising and ]irospei'ous agriculturist of L)assel township, is the son of Stephen and Mary (Patterson) Davis, and was l)orn in Wayne county, Ohio, March 14, 1830. His parents were very early settlers in that portion of the "Buckeye" State, but removed to Meigs county in 18-41, also then a new county, and made their home there until 1855, when they ciinie to Minnesota aiul settled at the village of Caledonia, Houston county, where the father carried on his trade and bought "overnnient land. He remained there until 1859, when during the excitement about Pike's Peak, he started for that country, but soon changed his mind and settled in Jo Daviess county. 111., where he died in 1871. The mother died in Ida county, Iowa, in 1882. The subject of our sketch remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age, and followed various employments until his marriage, Ajn-il 10, 1859, with Miss Eachel Russell, a native of Indiana. After his marriage he remained in Houston county until the fall of 1860, when, in company with Isaac Russell, Sr., and John Russell, he came to Meeker county, and followed hunting and exploring the countj^ through that winter, and in the following autumn went to Illinois with the intention of enlisting in the United States army, but was rejected, and having disposed of his property in this State, remained in the " Sucker State " until 1866. lie then came to Meeker county and took up a claim early in July, on section 10, of Dassel township. He commenced to improve his place, working at the same time on the railroad. The next fall he worked in the Forest City grist mill. He did not neglect his farm, but got it in shape for next \'ear's crop. In 1868 he helped clear the present site of the village, chopping cord-wood, etc., and thus, while developing his farm, provided for the wants of his family until 1872, since which time he has devoted the most of his time to his calling. In 1876 he bought a threshing machine in company with George Brower, with theaccompanying steam engine, and in 1879 became the sole owner of the outfit, and carries on that business in connection with his farm. The latter consists of 160 acres of land on section 10, and besides this he is the half owner of 100 acres more on section 16.

Mr. and Mrs. Davis are tlie parents of ten children - Stephen W., born Deceml)er 29, 1859; Reuben B., born. December 15,1861; Mary J., born January 17, 1864; Wealthy M., born May 21-, 1866; William E., born October 25, 1868; Isaac A., born December 25, 1870, died April 5, 1880 ; James H., born June 11, 1873 ; Emma B., born March 6, 1876 ; Annie Z., born November 2, 1878, and John E., born Januaiy 8, 1882. Stephen is married and lives in Dakota; Reuben, also married, makes his home on section 16, this town ; Mary J. (Mrs. C. G. Waller) lives at Kingston, and Wealthy (Mrs. W. II. Branham\ resides in Litchfield.

SHARLES SHEPHERD, an ex Union soldier, and one of the most intelligent, prominent and successful farmers in the northern part of the count}^, was born in Belgium, in the year 1826. His parents were John and Catharine (ShepeUe) Shepherd, the father being a native of England and the mother a native of Belgium. When Charles was eight or ten years of age the family removed from Belgium to England, and six years later they came to the United States and located in Massachusetts, where the parents died. Charles remained in Massachusetts until he had arrived at about the age of twenty-one, when he went to Rhode Island, but nine or ten months later he returned to BaUardvale, Mass. Two years later he started West, and for ten years lived in Wisconsin. While there, on the 27th of February, 1865, he enlisted in Company A, Fifty-first Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into the service. He remained with his regiment until the 22d of August, 1865, when he was honorably discharged and returned to AVisconsin. In 1866 he came to Meeker county, Minn., and located on a farm on section 20,

On the IJrth of August, 1S57, lie was married to Miss Adaline Ilartman, who was born in Germany April 2, 1S57. This marriage has been blessed with twelve children.

J\ LEXANDER L. GORDON, an intelli- ^ gent and 'industrious farmer living upon section 10, Collinwood township, is a native of Westchester county, N. Y., born August 1, 1850, and is the son of William and Jane (Ferguson) Gordon, who had come to America fi-om the land of their birth, Scotland, some time previous. The family removed in the boyhood of our subject to Fond du Lac county. Wis., where he remained until eighteen vears of age. At tiiat time he commenced life for himself as brakeman on the railroad, which he followed for two years. The following summer he was in the employ of the Government, driving team, on the line between the United States and Manitoba. From that time on, for several years, he was engaged in several occupations, all of them, however, attended by hard labor, sometimes in the pineries, and sometimes in the harvest Held, until his marriage.

This happy event took ]ilace March 21, 187S, at which time he wedded Miss Martha Delong, the daughter of Madison and Elizabeth (Lunsford) Delong, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this Albusi. Mrs. Gordon was born in Lawrence county, Ohio, IMarch 10, 1858, and came to Meeker county with her i)arents in 1866.

he now lives and where he has some sixty acres of land mostly under cultivation. He has held several of the town offices, chief among which is that of chairman of the board of supervisors, which he occupied for seven j'ears. He is the parent of four children - Elizabeth Jane, born April 2, 1^7'.»; William, born Decemljer 15, 1880; Elma, born March 11, 1883 ; and Grace, boru January 1, 1886.

LI BORING, an ex-Union soldier, is a '^J^ farmer who resides on section 10, Forest Prairie township. He is a native of Clinton county, Ohio, born May 22. 1836, and is a son of Absalom and Isabellc (Williams) Boring. His father and mother were natives of Baltimore county, Md., and Harrison county, Ya., respectively. They are both dead. The father died in Indiana, at the age of eighty-one years, April 28, 1888. He was a farmer; had settled in Indiana in 1836, and was one of the pioneers of that State. The mother was born in 1809 and died February 5, 1863. They were the [tarents of eleven children, eight boys and three girls, the names of whom were as follows - Thomas William, Lafayette, Eli, John A., I'^lizabeth, Sarah, Jesse E., Henry, Harrison, William and Eliza.

Eli Boring, the subject of this sketch, remained at home during his boyhood and school days. On the 20lh of February, 1864, he enlisted in Comjiany D, Eighth Indiana Cavah'v, and went into the service. He saw active service and participated in numerous battles, engagements and skirmishes. He was shot in the side at the battle of Campbellton, Ga., and remained in the hospital for several weeks. On the iDth of September, 1S64, he was taken prisonei-and was held for some three months, after which he was in the hospital at Annapolis, ]\1(1., for three weeks.

anil, after a short furlough, returned to his I'ea'inient. lie was tinally mustered out July 20, 1S65, near Raleigh, X. C, and returned to his home in Indiana. In the fall of 1868 he came to Meeker county, Minn., and located in Forest Prairie township. In 1882 he went to Minneapolis and engaged in the millingbusiness, but spent his winters at lumbering, continuing this for three years, and then returned to Forest Prairie and settled where he now resides.

Mr. Boring was married on the 2d of November, 1886, to Miss Victoria Spaulding, a daughter of Danville Spaulding, an old and respected citizen of Forest Prairie township. They were married at Litchfield b}^ N. C. Martin.

Our subject is a man of the strictest integrity, and is respected by all who know hi;n. In ]iolitical nu^tters he affiliates with the repul)lican ]Kirty.

S^HARLES M. AHLSTROM. The subject ^ of this sketch is an enterprising and successful farmer and stock-raiser, who. resides on section 31, Harvey township. He is a native of Chisago county, ilinn., where he was born on the 8th of August, 1859, and he is a son of Andrew M. and Carrie Ahlstrom. In 1864 he removed, with his parents, to Meeker county, and the family settled on section 30, where Charles M. still resides. His parents were both natives of Sweden. They came to the United States in 185-1. They are both still living.

The subject of our sketch, Charles, grew to manhood in Meeker county, attending school as opportunity offered, and assisting his fatlier on the farm. On the 27tli of Maj', 1882, he was married to Mary Peterson, of Swede Grove township. Their niari-iage has been blessed with tliree cliildren, whose names are Stacie, Carl M. and Clearence A..

In political matters Mr. Ahlstrom is a republican. He now owns 160 acres of land, and has a good start and good prospects for future success.

M LEXANDER D. ROSS, the present J^Jl. postmaster of Litchfield, was born in Upper Canada, July 25, 1815, and is the son of Alexander and Frances Bassett (Conners) Eoss, the former a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and the latter of Bangor, County Down, Ireland. His jxirents came to America, settling in Canada, prior to his birth, and there, in the town of Southani]iton, where the father was engaged in mercantile trade, our subject received his earl^^ education, and there grew to manhootl. In 1866, he removed with his parents to Chicago, III., where he commenced work with the American Express Company, with whom he remained until 1872, when he came to Minnesota. He located first at St. Cloud, but one year later removed to Litchfield, where, in August, 1873, he took charge of a grain elevator, now the M. and D. which he has superintended ever since. In July, 1887, he took charge of the postotfice of the village, having been appointed to that position a short time previousl\\ He is a thorough democrat politically, and believes that in its principles lies the true germ of civil liberty. He is a member of the present council of Litchfield, and holds a high place in the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens.

Mr. Eoss united in marriage, June 11, 1872, with Miss Elizabeth M. Becker, a native of New York, and daughter of Herman and Margaret Becker. By this union there has been born two children, who bear the names of Carrie and George. Mr. Eoss is a member of Golden Fleece Lodge, No. 86, A. F.

JOHN SMITH, a resident of Darwin township, lives on section 15, where he carries on general farming and stock raising. He is a native of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, born in 1839. lie was reared among the vine-clad hills of the land of his birth until he was nineteen years of age, when he came to America,, and that year, 1S5S, settled near Aurora, 111., Avhere he made his home until eight years later, when he removed to Minnesota and located on the farm in Darwin township where he now lives. Like so man^' of his countrymen who seek to find in America the fortune and freedom they lack in their native land, Mr. Smith was a ]ioor man when he came to this countr}^, but by the ])erseverance in his work and the natural thrift that seems to be inherent in the average German, he has accumulated a fair share of this world's goods.

Mr. Smith was first married in ISfio, to Miss Anna Peiffer, who became the mother of seven children, all of whom are living at the present but one. Their names are - John, Peter, Michael, Anna, P'raidv and "William. Mrs. Anna Smith tlied in February, ISSl, and Mr. Smith was married the second time. The Inide on this occasion was Miss Mas*o-ie

Kanzler, and the wedding occurred in November, 1883. By this last marriage there have been born three children, only two of whom, however, are now living - Emma aiul Nicholas.

Both Mr. Smith and his wife are meml)ers of the Roman Catholic Church and good Christian people. Politically Mr. Smith is what may be tei-med an independent, not being Ijound to party.

|2i^ member of the lirni of Osterlund & Leighton, general merchants of the village of Dassel, came to that place in the fall of 1872, and in the spring of 187-1 opened the first wagon shop, in which he continued to carry on the business until 1S81. Closingout, then, his interests in that mechanical trade, he entered into the hanhvare business in company with J. M. Johnson, and continued in that line until Januar}^ 1, 1887, when, after selling his interest to his partner, he entered into the new copartnership, the firm nametl above.

Mr. Leighton, who is a native of Penobscot county. Me., born March 25, 1850, and the son of Stillman W. and Thressa E. Leighton, received his education in his native State. He left that portion of our great Republic in 1872, and came directly to this ])art. as above stated.

and farmer who resides on section 15, Danielson township, was born in Norway on the 16th of August, 1836, and is a son of Gunder and Anna Ingebretson. His early life was spent in his native land, where he worked at various occupations and also learned the carpenter's trade. He renuiined in the land of his birth until 1870, when he came to the United States and came direct to Minneapolis, Minn., where he remained for six years employed at carpenter work. He was so pooi' at that time that he was obliged to leave his family in the old country, and had to borrow the mone}' with which he paid his fare. During the first three years he was here he earned enough money to send for his family, which required five tickets at §61 each. His oldest son came some two years before the balance of the family. The father, with the aid of his son, during this time, erected a comfortable house for himself at Minneapolis.

On the 4th of November, 1876, he moved his family to Meeker county, Minn., and settled on a farm in Cosmos township, but after getting- his family settled he returned to Minneapolis and worked at his trade for two years, after which he returned and moved to the farm which he purchased on section 15, Danielson township, where he has since lived. Since that time he has continued to work at his trade most of his time while his family carried on the farm. lie now has one of the most valuable farms in the township, consisting of 280 acres, upon which he has placed fine building improvements.

Mr. Gunderson was married before he left Norway to Miss Bertha Olson, a daughter of Ole and Anna Peterson, who was born August 20, 1830. Their marriage has been blessed with nine children, as follows - Gilbert, born February 17, 1857; Nettie, born May 4, 1858; "William, born Januarj" 15, 1860 ; Anna, born January 10, 1862 ; August, born September 6, 1863 ; Beathe, born August 9, 186-4, died in 1867 ; Maria, born March 21, 1868; Beathe, born December 10, 1870 ; and Albert, born June 2, 1875. All were born in Norway except Albert, who was boi'u in Minneapolis. Nettie married Ole Blaken, a merchant in Grafton, D. T., and they have three children. William married Anna Amundson, and is a farmer in Danielson township. Anna married Knute Johnson, a I'ailroad section boss at Minneayjolis. The family are members of tlie Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Mr. Gunderson has taken an active interest in public matters and has lield the ofhce of township supervisor for four years. In political matters he affiliates with the democratic party.

of Nels and Mary Nelson, and came to the United States in 1866, first stopping in Red Wing, Minn., where he was engaged in tailor- -ing for one year. The next two years were passed by him in the same employment in Minneapolis, but growing tired of working for other parties after two years, and Ijeing anxious to better his financial condition, he removed to Acton, this county, and took a homestead on section 8, where he now lives. He has a fine farm of 20<i acres of excellent arable land, all of wliicii he has made by his own energy and perseverance.

Mr. Nelson was married in Noi-way, to Miss Martha J. Farrisdatter Haabetsbroen. They are the parents of the following children - Thoi'wald E., born October 4, 1864 ; Nikoline Marie, born September 28, 1868, died May 19, 1879; Nels, born January 5, 1870; Severin, born April 6, 1872 ; Odin, born January 6, 1874 ; Mina, born February 16, 1877 ; Martin, born March 6, 1880; Jens H., born December 30, 1881 ; and Marius, born May 15, 1883.

Thorwald is attending the academy at Minneapolis, and Nels, the high school at Litchfiekl. The other children are at home with their parents. Mr. Nelson has occupied the office of road overseer for two or three terms, and that of school director for several years. He had learned tiie tailoring trade in his far away native land, but since his coming here he has devoted his attention solely to agricultural pursuits, and has met with abundant success in this calling. lie devotes a large siiare of his labors to stock raising.

born in tlie town of Sebec, Me. Wliile he quite young iiis ])arents removed to Kilinornac. Me., where his father engaged in farming and lumbering, but finding it a hard place to make a living in, he moved to Bangor, Me. When James II. was fourteen years of age he learned the carpenter's trade, and remained at home until he was twenty; then, with some acquaintances, he left for the AVest, stojtping in Wisconsin a slioi't time, lie came to Minnesota in the fall of 1849. It was then a tei'ritory, St. Paul and St. Anthonj' being small villages at that time, and Minneapolis was not even started. Hauling supplies to the Indians was the main business done outside the villages.

Mr. Thorns engaged for four years in hauling supplies from St. Paul to Fort Ripley, and any other points where the Indians were to be paid their annuities.

Some of the log hotels, or stopping places, had squaw landladies, and others were kept by bachelors. Mr. Thoms left the road and worked at his trade for two years, and finally took up a claim in Eden Prairie township, si.Kteen miles south of Minneapolis, in Hennepin count}'.

On August 12, 1855, he married Miss Annette Y. Ilamblet, of Eden Prairie, a young lady, nineteen years of age. He remained on his fai'm a few years, then moved to Chanhassen, Carver county, where he stayed but a short time, then moved to Castle Eock, Dakota county, where he stayed a few years, engaged in farming. Then, hearing of the many virtues of Meeker county, he removed to Union Grove township in the fall of 1867, and took up a homestead on section 2(». Five years later, he sold that place and bought a farm of 160 acres, on section 25 and 3(*i. where he has since lived.

The farm is one of the most valuable in the townsiiip, and the building improvements are a credit to the neighborhood in which they are located.

j\Ir. and ]\rrs. Thoms have been blessed with nine children, seven of whom are now living, two girls and live boys - Frank, the eldest, is married, and lives at Newark, D. T., where he is, in company with a partner, running a arain elevator. E. L. and D. C. Thoms, the two next oldest, own a roller flour mill at Ashby, Grant county, Minn. The fourth son, Ben. II., is a graduate from (Airtiss' Busiiiess College, Minneapolis, and is in Minnesota at the present time. One daughter is a stenogra]iher, and the oWwx is a seamstress ; both reside in Minneapolis at present. Earl W., the youngest, remains at home with his parents. In politics, Mr. Tiioms is a strong democi'at. He came to the county comparatively a poor man, but is now well fi.xed as to this world's goods, and is rated as one of the most solid and substantial citizens of the county. He is truly a pioneer in the State, and also of the county.

©ANIEL F. SMITH. Among the quiet, sober, and iiulustrious Gernum citizens of Meeker county, who have left their beautiful fatherland to seek upon the Western Continent the freedom from conscription and military despotism denied them in their own country, there is no more prominent individual than the gentleman here presented, who is a resident upon section 16, Ellsworth township. He is a native of Germany, and is the son of Henry and Dora Smith. Ilis parents were also born in that classic land, although of French ancestry.

Our subject was reared beneath his native skies, and there received the education common to the youth of that land, and there, having attained the years of manhood, September 12, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Fredericka Sinnerman. In 1862 the young couple left their home amid the hills and valleys of Germany, and crossed the ocean to seek a newer home in free America. They settled near the town of Kunda, McHenr}^ county, 111., where they lived until the fall of 1875, when they came to Meeker county and settled where they now live, and where Mr. Smith has a fine farm of ISO acres of excellent land, on sections 15 and 16, and on which he has erected an excellent residence, commodious barn and neat granary. While a resident of Nunda he showed his enterprise by subscribing to the institution of the pickling and preserving Avorks of that place, in which he owned several shares of stock ; and since coming to this county he has ever been foremost in anything that seemed to be for the benefit of the community.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of eight children - Mary (Mrs. Joseph Earth, ,who Avas married September 12, 187S, the anniversary of her parents' wedding), William, Frederick, George, Emma (now Mrs. Ludwig Martens), Clara, Bertie, and Minnie. William is also married, and follows the trade of moulder in Minneapolis.

Mr. Smith is a republican, politically, and has held the offices of town supervisor, and of school director and justice of the peace, and is a representative man. He and his family belong to the Lutheran Church.

/^HARLES H. DART, the enterprising \^^ and energetic Hour and feed dealer of Litchfield, was born in Forest City, Meeker county, Minn., February 5, 18ri2, and is the son of Wait H. and Calista (Willis) Dart. His father is one of the oldest settlers of the county, having come here in April, 1856, and the following July took up a claim two miles east of the prospective village of Forest Cit^', upon which he settled, his family consisting of his wife and one child, coming here in Kovember. Ho I'aised one crop upon his farm, and then removed to this village. He Avas at that place during tlie tr;igic scenes of the Indian outbreak, and Avas an actiA'e participant in most of the stirring events of that unhappy epoch. He entered into the mercantile business in Forest City about the time of tlie arrival of the soldiers, and from 1863 to 1865 had charge of the postoffice. In 1869 he removed to the town of Greenleaf, where he took u]) a homestead, upon Avhich he remained initil 1871, and tlien came to Litchfield, where he has I'esided ever since, diaries remained at home, enjoying the opportunities for scliooling afforded him during the winters, and working in the summer months at Avhatever he could turn his hand to. At the age of eighteen, with a commendable enterprise, he initiated the business which he now follows, and is makinoit a success. He is ranked

On Christmas day, December 25, 1883, C. H. Dart and Miss Nellie LockAvood, also a native of this county, Avere united in the bonds of weillock. They are the parents of one child - Ray.

|ifej)ETER LUND, a resident of section 17, 1^ Greenleaf township, is one of the leading farmers and stock-raisei-s in the southern portion of the county. He was born in Sweden, on the 15th of August, 1846. His younger days were silent in his natiA'e land, and in 1872 he came to the LTnited States, and located in Minneapolis, Avhere he remained for eight years. He AA'as at work in the Buell, Nutten & Co. flouring mill in 1878,Avhen the terrible mill explosion occurred, in which eighteen were killed and others seriously injured. His escape at tliat time Avas almost miraculous. He was attending to the machinery, and a few moments before the disaster he Avas talking with a fellowemploye, named Peter Ilogberg. The latter suo-o-ested getting some water, but Mr. Lund tokl iiim to attend to the machinery and he would get the water. Accordingly, Wv. Lund took the pail and started, having to go about 200 feet. He had just stepped outside of the door, Avhen he noticed a queer smoke coming from the suction pipe of the Washburn A mill, which stood about 100 feet from the mill in which he worked. He had only gone about 100 feet when the first explosion occurred, and he was thrown to the lie scrambled to his feet and tried to run, when the next explosion took place, and he was again thrown down. On his hands and knees he crawled under a box car, and the deln-is was falling thick around him. A few moments later he ran to where the mill had been, to rescue Ilogberg, but he found the mill leveled to the ground, and nothing was ever found of his companion except a few pieces of bones and a knife blade. Out of all the men who worked in the three mills, he, and one other, were the only ones who escaped unhurt.

On March 27, 1881, Mr. Lund came to Meeker county, and settled in Greenleaf township, where he still lives. He has a valuable farm of 210 acres of land, and has splendid farm buildings. Mr. Lund was married Januiiry 1, 1875, to Anna Anderson, and they have had seven children, all of whom are living, as follows - Charley A., born March 5, 187<i ; Alma II., born November 29, 1877; Levi Y., born January 23, 1880 ; Mimmie V., born May 5, 1882 ; Edward E., born November 12, 1883; Oscar T., born Se])tember 27, ISSo, and Amanda Y., born January 27, 1888. The family are members of the Swedish Lutheran Churcii.

"OHN H. REMICK, one of the prominent residents of the village of Dassel, and a leading ))ioneer of the county of McLeod, was born in Painesville, Ohio, August 26, 1830. His father died when he was quite young, and tiie family was In-oken up, and for a time he was an inmate of the housoliold of his grandfather. "When about thirteen he commenced life Idv hiring out at whatever he could find to do, and at sixteen began to learn the blacksmith's trade. In the spring of 1863 he determined to seek a new home in the growing "West and carve out his own fortune, and came to Minnesota and settled at Hutchinson, McLeod county, in May of that year. Returning to Ohio the next fall, he, in company with S. A. Bunting, purchased a drove of fifteen horses, which were shipped by boat to Milwaukee, from which port they drove to this country, selling what they could on the way. Closing out the l);dance on his arrival at Hutchinson, he returned to the "Buckeye State"' for his famil}', and I'eturned the same fall and took up a homestead of 160 acres of land on section 20, Hutchinson township, Mc- Leod county, and commenced its improvement. There he remained, quietly engaged in agricultural pursuits, until 1877, and by diligence and industrvhad increased his farm to 300 acres. He sold this place and personal property, al:iout 1879, for SL700. In 1877 he came to Dassel, this county, and commenced running the Dassel House, and continued to cater to the wants of the traveling public until 1882. During the summer of that year he engaged in his old trade of blacksmith, but on the 1st of January, 1883, went into the saloon business in the village, with J. S. Larson. The February folioAvin<" their i>lace was destroved bv fire, with a loss of 82,500, only part of which was insured. In company with J. S. Larson and "William Gallagher, he then commenced the erection of a new hotel, the new Dassel House, the old one having been burned. On the completion of this hotel, which is of brick and cost some $4,500, he again opened a saloon, and remained in that business until 1886, when he closed it out, and since that time has given his attention to the cultivation of a farm which he bought in 1881. This contains some forty acres, and adjoins the town site. He is also engaged in the letting of livery rigs.

Among the leading proiiibitionists of the county, there is none who is better known than Mr. Remick, who, being thorougldy acquainted with the traffic in liquor, knows its evil, and is quite active in the movement looking to its suppression.

/^ HRISTIAN BADEN. Among the V^^ thrifty, prosperous German citizens of Meeker county, who helped so materially toward its development and progress, until it now stands one of the brightest jewels in the crown of the noble State of Minnesota, is the worthy gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in that part of the German empire known as Trier, June IS, 1839, and there grew to manhood. He is the son of John and Marj' Baden, who had a family of live children.

Our subject received the education so common to the youth of the fatherland, and at the age of sixteen commenced an apprenticeship to the trade of blacksmith. He came to the United States in search of a home in this free land, in 1867, and located at Belle Plaine, Scott county, Minn., where he opened a blacksmith shop and followed his trade for one year. In 1868 he came to this country and bought out the interest of Albert Taylor, in the blacksmith shop in Forest City, and has been engaged at this trade ever since. He is also the owner of a fine farm of 250 acres of land in the same township, part of which he leases to other parties and part cultivates himself. His success since he came here is entirely due to his energy, perseverance and thrift, as he is the sole architect of his own fortunes.

Mr. Baden was married before leaving his native land, April 11-, 1865, to Miss Mary Schmidt, who was the daughter of Michael and Susan Schmidt, and one of a family of eight children. On the -Ith of May, Mrs. Baden, who was a devout Catholic and an estimable woman, was called away by death, leaving ten children - William, Nicholas, Frank, John, Joseph, Susan, Catherine, Anna, Eosa and Mary. Susan married Eugene Schuler, March 2, 1886, and lives in Dakota.

[^ARRISON FULLER, one of the old settlers of Collinwood township, has his home on section i. He is a native of Russell county, Va., and there made his residence until he was ten years of age, then emigrated to Tazwell county, settling in Avhat afterward became a part of Buchanan county. Most of this time was spent on a farm with his parents. In 1862 he was conscripted into the Confederate arm}', and served some eighteen months. Having been made lieutenant, and detailed for recruiting service, he absented himself without leave, and passing the lines, came to Minnesota. He arrived at Hutchinson, McLeod county. Ma}' 14, 1864, and spent the summer in digging gmseng, and the next winter in huntingand trapping. The following year he moved to the place where he now lives, but did little toward its improvement for some three years. The hard frost of August 19, 1866, destroying the little crops he and the other settlers had in, he had considerable difficulty in getting along, so, with others, he went to Wright county and chopped wood all the following winter. Many of his neighbors were sadly pinched witli hunger at that time. One day he walked to Kingston for provisions, but failed to get tliem, and on returning, found that the family had eaten up everything in the house, and he was forced to go supperless to bed. The next day he was more fortunate, getting some flour at Greenleaf. Most of the settlers lived through the winter on what game they could kill, and in tlie sprmg on ramps or leeks, elm bark and other herbage. One family, to his knowledge, lived on game, ramps or leeks, and herbage that winter and sjiring. In 1873, after an absence of ' a year in Virginia, he commenced to develop his farm pro]ierly, and liy diligence has succeeded in accumulating a nice property. He was married March 7, 1861, to Miss Smyth, who was born in Tazewell county, Ya., April 26, 18-15, and is the daughter of Samuel M. and Mary (Justice) Smyth, natives of Kentucky. By this union there has been ten children, as follows - Ashville, born November 7, 1862, and married, March 27, 1884, to Mrs. Clarinda (Goble) "West ; Mary F., born September 29,- 1865, married Solomon Scalf in January, 1883; Pricy J., born May 19, 1868, married, March 7, 1885. to Armstrong Sellard ; Elijah S., born March 15, 1871; James A., born March 20, 1873 ; Roxelena, born May 21, 1875 ; Ida A., born May 26, 1877; Vashti, born May 2, 1880 ; Lucretia, born November 5, 1882 ; and Maggie, born June 30, 1886.

PATRICK McKARNEY, an ex-Union soldier, and a prominent and successful farmer and stock raiser, residing on section 8, Manannah township, was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1832, and is a son of Patrick and Catherine (Bradj') Mc- Karney. His early life was spent in the land of his birth, receiving the schooling in industry and frugality which was given to the youth of his nationality in that day. In 1849 he came to the United States, landing in New Orleans, where he remained about one month and then went to St. Louis, Mo. Two months later he went to Rock Island, 111., and spent the winter, and after this was »mj)loyed on the Mississippi river, at whatever he could find to do, until the 15th of August, 1862, when he enlisted in C'ompany B, Ninetieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and went into the service. His regiment was assigned to severe duty, and he remained in active service until the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge on the 6th of June, 1865. After leaving the service he came to Minnesota, and settled in Dakota county, where he reuuiined until the following April, 1866, and then came to Meeker county, and settled on section 8, Manannah townshi]j, where he still lives. He has a farm of 150 acres of land, a good share of which is under cultivation, and devotes his attention to general farming and stock raising.

]\Ir. McKarnev was married on the -ith of April, 1869, to Miss Mary O'Keeffe, and they have been blessed with the following children - Charlotte, born July 15, 1870; Catherine, born May 26, 1872; James, born January 8, 1874; Peter, born May 16, 1876; and Menus, born January 16, 1878; all of whom are still living.

Mrs. IVlcKarney's parents were natives of Ireland. They came to America, and both died in Meeker county. Mr. McKarney is a re])ublican in political matters, and in religious affairs both he and his wife are exemjilary memliers and active supporters of the Catholic Church.

Frank remained in his native town until he was fifteen years of age, and then came to Eice county, Minn., where he lived with an uncle for a time. He removed from there to Chicago, whither his parents had gone, and entering the office of the Pullman Palace Car Co., remained there employed for seven years. Taking charge of a palace car running between St. Louis and Minneapolis at the end of that time, he continued in that species of employment for two years and a half, but his health having become somewhat impaired he left the road. He entered the law office of Perkins & Whipple, of Northfield, Minn., where he remained some eighteen months. He then went on the road as traveling salesman for the Champion Eeaper Co., and was with that corporation for the succeeding two years, after which he came to Litchfield, and assumed the charge of the Howard House, as landlord. May 1, 1884.

Frank W. Minton and Miss Mattie Knight were united in the bonds of marriage. May 20, 1884. The lady is a native of Canada, but at the time of her marriage a resident of Meeker county.

T^OBERT B. RALSTON. The subject _l^y, of this biography, one of Meeker county's most prominent and wealthy farmers and stock-raisers, is a resident of section 14, Harvey township. He was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada East, on the 2Sth day of August, 1826, and is a son of Andrew and Jane Kalston. His parents were natives of Scotland, but both died in Canada ; the father January 10, 1888, and the mother August 21, 1884.

1849, and went to Waterbury, A^t., where he secured employment on the Vermont Central railroad, and remained until the latter part of the following December, when he returned to Canada and remained until the spring of

1850. At that time he went to St. Johnsbury, Vt., where he drove a team on railroad work, and in August, 1850, went to Cambridge, N. Y., and worked about there until the following summer of 1851. He next spent a few months at Bedford, Ind., and then went to Cincinnati, O., where he remained for four years, being emploj'ed at teaming most of the time; after that was at work on the Cincinnati & St. Louis railroad. In 1855 he went still further west, and spent one winter at Oskaloosa, Iowa, and then settled at Minneapolis, Minn. That place, which was then a mere village, remained his home until the fall of 1861, although, during this time, in 1859, he had come west to Meeker county and purchased the southwest quarter of section 11, in what is now Harvey township. In that fall he came here and put in his time in caring for a few calves which he had purchased, and also did a good deal of trapping in various parts of this county. He was living here when the Indian outbreak occurred. He heard the news of the massacre at Acton on Sunday evening, while with his brother John. They at once went to moulding bullets and getting their guns in shape, after which they went to bed, and the following morning continued their harvesting. At noon they went to Forest City, and learned the serious condition of affairs. They then returned to look for a neighbor, Ilutchins, and his wife, and met them, and also Joachin Schultz, so all turned and went to Forest City. There they remained all through the Indian trouble. The following spring Mr. Ealston returned to his claim and put in his crops, and while at work could distinctly see the soldiers on patrol between his place and Forest City. This has since been his home.

He has one of the most vahiable farms in the county, and carries on general farming and stock-raising extensively. - On tiie nth of June, ISOT, Mr. Ralston was n\arried to Miss ilelissa Pickle, and tlieir union has been blessed witii three children, as follows - Marcia, born August 22, 1868 ; Elsie v., born November 4, 1872; Arthur D., born April 13, 1882, all of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Ralston attend, and Mrs. R. is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Ralston's parents are still living in Canada ; her father is a native of Canada, and her mother a native of Vermont.

In political matters Mr. Ralston affiliates with the democratic party. He has taken an active interest in everything calculated to develop the county's resources, and is rated as one of the most solid and substantial citizens of Meeker countv.

ILLIAM MURPHY, a memberof the firm of Murphy Bros., general merchandise dealers at the village of Kingston, commenced business here in January, 1886, in company with T. Owen, with whom he remained in partnership until the 1st of January, 1888, when Mr. Owen sold out to T. J. Murphy, the brother of our subject, and the present firm was formed.

Mr. Murphy is a native of Rutland county, Vt., born November 3, 1860, and came to Minnesota with his parents in May, 1862. He is a son of Michael and Catherine (Clifford) Murph\', a history of whom is given elsewhere in this Album. He was reared and received the elements of his education in the district schools of Meeker county, and finished with a thorough course at the University, at St. John's, Minn., from which he was graduated in 1882. He taught the Kingston village school the winter term of 1883-4, and later settled in the village and entered upon his present enterprise, which is the only store therein. He has held the office of justice of the peace for tAvo^'ears, and that of clerk of the townsiiip for quite a time. He was appointed ))ostmasterin September, 1886, which position he holds at present. Mi'. IMui'iihy and Miss Ellen AVhalen were married February 20, 1887. The lady is a native of ]\Ieeker county and daughter of Joim Whalen, one of the oldest pioneers whose sketch is to be found in the pages of this volume.

JAMES McCUE, blacksmith, at Greenleaf village, Meeker county, is a native of Ireland, born on the 10th of May, 1837. When he was but one year old, his parents, Timothy and Margaret McCue, emigrated to the United States and settled near Buffalo, N. Y. Mrs. McCue died soon afterward, and when James was ten years of age he was placed in a store at Hamilton, Ontario, where he remained until he reached his seventeenth year, at which time he was apprenticed to a blacksmith near Hamilton. Three years later, in 1857, he came to Minnesota, and located in Northfield, Rice county. In the fall of 1858 he went to California, where he remained about four years, engaged at mining and blacksmithing. Then, leaving there, he spent two or three years in Nevada and Montana, during the great mining excitement, and at the expiration of that time he returned to the States. After a trip to Southern Kansas, he returned to Minnesota and settled in Renville county. In 1877 he left his family at Hutchinson and went to the Black Hills, D. T. After making several trips home, he finally, in 1879, returnetl to Renville county, and continued to live there until 1884, when he came to the village of Greenleaf, and established his present business. Being thoroughly skilled at his trade, he com- mands a good patronage. In 1886 he made a trip to Iluntsville, Ala., Init returned without giving tlie matter of locating there much thought.

Mr. McCue was married at the village of Greenleaf in 1873, to Miss Mary Kaler, a daughter of Christian and Almira Kaler, of Greenleaf township. Six children have been the fruit of this union, as follows - John E., born March 20, 1875; Stella A., born April 9, 1877; Alford 0., born August 21, 1879; Effie May, born March 29, 1881; Margaret Myra, born March 13, 1883 ; Annie Ethel, born March 19, 1885.

^^ICHAEL F. LENHARDT, a respected _M^J3^^ and enterprising farmer, who resides on section 1, Litchfield, was born in Saxon-Meiningen, Germany, on the SUth of October, 1827, and is a son of Michael and Margaret Lenhardt. He remained with his parents in his native land until 1853, when he came to America, landing in New Orleans shortly after the great yellow-fever scourge had abated. He located in St. Louis and remained there for two years, then went to Kansas, but, not being favorably impressed with the outlook there, he returned to St. Louis, and, the following 3'ear (185fi), he caTue to Meeker county, Minn., and took a claim on section 11, Litchfield township, where the village of Litchfield now stands. The following year he gave up that place and took a claim on section 1, in the same township, where he still lives. In 1859 he was married to Eebecca Louhan, a native of Kentuck}', and two children were born to them, one of whom is deceased, and the other - Minne - is the wife of Frank Maetzold, of Litchfield. In 1803 Mrs. Lenhardt, the wife, and youngest child, died. In 1872 Mr. Lenhardt made a visit to his native land, and while there Avas united in marriage with Margaret Peipus, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Peipus. Four children were the result of this union - Kicke (deceased), Anna, August, and Bertha.

At the time of the Indian outbreak, in 1862, Mr. Lenhardt was ojierating his farm in a quiet way. He did not become much alarmed at first, but soon felt the gravity of the situation, and, on Wednesday following the massacre at Acton, he started with his family for Clearwater. The road en route was literally alive with people and stock, and the woods were full of panic-sti'icken beings. After remaining in Clearwater a short time, he concluded the matter was more a scare than anything else, and went back to his farm. He was not long in discovering, however, that the ]3eo]ile were not terrorized without cause, and, therefore, took his family to Forest City for safet}^, arriving there just before the Indians made the attack on the fort. After spending about one month at Forest City, Mr. Lenhardt Avent back to his farm for the winter, and the following year put in his crops and has since made that his home. He devotes his entire attention to farming and stock raising, and has a most pleasantly situated and comfortable home. He is one of the most highly respected old settlers and substantial citizens of the county.

3ME ANS M. AKESSON, a resident of Swede _1?^ Grove township, is a son of Mons and Siselia Akesson. He was born in Sweden on the Sthof March, 1856, and remained in his native land until 1881, when he came to the LTnited States, and, aftei* spending two months in Wisconsin, jiushed on westward and located in Swede Grove township. Meeker county. Minn. On the 24th of November, 1882 he was married to Miss Anna Olena Erickson the only daughter of Gerti'am and JMartha Erickson. The father of Anna died in Amer- ica, and the mother, Martha, came to the United States in 185", and in I860 was married to Christian Erickson, wiio died on the 2(3th of March, 1882. Mrs. Erickson liad two children - Ilalvor Michelson, who was born February 11. 184t!, wiio Hves on section 32, Swede Grove townsiiip, and Anna Olena, now Mrs. Hans Akesson, wlio was born March 18, 1864. Hans M. Akesson and his family live his wife's mother and cultivate the farm. Mrs. Erickson is an old settler in the township and was here all through the " pioneer days." When the Indian trouble began she fled for her life with the others who were living here at that time. She fled in the night for Forest City for protection, and at onetime came very near losing her life, when Indian bullets were flvini; as thick as hail. As a full histor}' of those Indian times is given in another chapter of this work it is unnecessary to repeat it here.

Mr. and Mrs. Akesson have been blessed with three children, whose names and ages are as follows - Martin Clarence, born May 6, 1883 ; Gotfried Casper, born November 29, 1884 ; and Ilelmer Eugene, who was born on the 5th of November, 1886.

MNOTHER pioneer of Meeker county j^^ is F. V. DeCostek, ex-jndge of probate, and one of Litchfield's most prominent merchants. Mr. DeCc)ster was born in Buckfield, Me., on the I'.Hh of November, 1838. His parents were Varanes and Louisa (Thompson) DeCoster, both natives of the same State. F. V. remained at home until seventeen, working on a farm and attending school and at fifteen began teaching school. When seventeen he went to the city of Boston and worked in a store for about a year, when he started west and brought up at Dunkirk, N. Y. A short time later he pushed on West to St. Anthonv, Minn., and remained there until the spring of 1858, when he located in the village of Kingston, Meeker county, and was there engaged in carpentering, teaching and in carrvintron the fur trade, remaining at this most of the time until the war broke out. He thus became personally acquainted with the famous Little Crow, the head of the massacre movement in 1862, and also with the chief Shakopee, buying fur and venison at various times of both these notables. In 1859-60 Mr. DeCoster left Kingston for atrip through the south, going to St. Louis, then to Cmcinnati, and then Natchez, Miss., where he had charge of the boats on the levee for a time. From there he went to New Orleans ; then Mobile ; and then to Montgomery, Ala., on the same boat that carried a lot of Southern planters who were on their way to attend a secession convention. After spending a short time at Savannah, Ga., Mr. DeCoster, returned to the North, and finally drifted to his old home in Buckfield, INIaine, where he remained some two weeks, and then returned to Kingston, Minn. Shortly after the war broke out, on the 25th of September, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantr\", and went to Fort Aberci'ombie. In the spring of 1862, his company was assigned to the Army of theAVest in Tennessee. On the 1st of Januai-y, 1863, he was made orderly sergeant of Company A, Firet Battalion Cavalry, Mississippi Marine Brigade, and on the 8th of July, in the same year, he was jJaced in command of Company D, as Captain and served until August 29, 1864. The business of the brigade was to keep the Mississippi river clear of Rebel forces who fired on transports, one of the most dangerous assignments in the service. The full bi'igade was carried on boats, and consisted of eight marine fleet boats, with five rams, one regiment of infantry, battalion of cavalry and battery besides the rams. During this time Mr. DeCoster had two horses shot from un- der him, and in one engagement when they were surprised by SCO of the enemy in the canebrake the company had seventy horses shot out of 170. The night previous to this action they learned that the boat " Bostona" had been burned by the Rebels at Austin, Miss. The brigade was then 100 miles off but they started in haste and arrived at that point at four o'clock the following morning. Mr. DeCoster was ordered to take ten men and go into the country in search of the Eebels. When four miles out they came in sight of five of the Rebels and captured them. When about to return to the command the major of the brigade came up and they were ordered to push on, which they did, and when they had proceeded but a short distance they were met by the 800 rebels, and all hands of the Union men came near losing their lives. It is worthy of mention that their flag-ship. The Autocrat, was the second one at Vicksburg. Mr. DeCoster continued in service on the river, participating in numerous engagements, until the 27th of August, 1801:, when he was mustered out, being made supernumerary by the consolidation of the brigade. After the close of the war he remained at St. Louis for some four months and then returned to Minnesota and engaged in the general mercantile trade at Kingston. This he conducted until 1868 when he sold out and became interested in a flouring mill and remained in that until the spring of 1871, being justice of the peace most of the time and otherwise taking a prominent and active interest in public affairs. In the spring of 1871 he removed to Litchfield and again embarked in the general merchandise trade. This he continued until about 1879, when he changed his line and handled musical instruments, sewing machines and notions. In 1887 he Avent into the jewelry business and now handles a line which includes jewelry, musical instruments, etc. In 1872 he was elected judge of probate and served one term, and since that time has been court commissioner most of the time. He has also taken an active interest in educational mattei's and has held various oifices on the school board. He has also been a member of the council and taken an active interest in all public matters at Litchfield. Mr. DeCoster is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having joined the Golden Fleece Lodge, No. 89, when it was located at Forest City, and has always maintained his membership. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was one of the charter members of the first post organized at Litclifield, and joined the present post soon after it was organized, and is identified with the " Survivors of the Mississippi River Ram Fleet and Marine Brigade." He is a member of the dramatic association, and was its manager for some two years.

Mr. DeCoster was married in the spring of 1871 to Miss Mary E. Campbell, of North Manchester, Conn. They have one child - Esther L., who was born on the 4th of January, 1875. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. DeCoster has been supermtentlent of the Sunday-school of that church constantlv since 1871.

JTOHN McINTEE, at present a resident of ^ section 8, Manannah township, and a leading citizen of that neighborhood, was born in Ontario, Canada, on the 15th of August, 1852, and is a son of Nicholas and Margaret (Clark) Mclntee. His early life was spent in his native Dominion, but in 1878 he came to Meeker county, Minn., and settled in Manannah township, where he still lives. He has a farm of 100 acres, with a good share of it under cultivation, and devotes his attention to general farming and stock liaising. He has been very successful and through his frugality and industry is now in verv comfortable circumstances.

Mr. Mclntee was married on the 1st of June. 1S80, to Mary A. IStewart, and their marriage has been blessed with three children, named - William J., ISIary, and Margaret, all of whom are living and at home. The family are members of the Catholic Ghnrch. In political matters Mr. Mclntee's principles are independent of party, and he votes for the man rather than for creed.

Mr. Mclntee's pai-ents were born in Ireland, and l)oth of them died in Canada. Tiie father of Mrs. Mclntee was a native of Scotland, and died in Canada ; her mother was a native of Ireland, and now lives in Meeker county.

JplENRY J. BOYNTON, an energetic JiP^dL and prosperous farmer and stockraiser of Forest Cit\' townsliip, lives upon section 16, where he settled in 1865. He is engaged, to a large extent, in the raising of cattle, and for a man of liis years is extremely active and business like, for he was born May IS, 1820. Lincolnville, Penobscot county, Maine, Avas the home of his pai'ents, Jeremiah and Sarah (Higgms) Boynton, at the time of his birth. His father was born in Kennebec county, that State, and his mother at Lincolnville. The former died in 1876, the latter in 186S.

The subject of this narrative was reared in his native State, and until he was eleven veal's of age, attended school at Bradley, Penobscot county. At the age of thirteen he commenced life, lumbering ujion the rivers of Maine, and followed that business until he had reached the age of forty-five years. "With a view to change his mode of life he then removed westward and settled in Meeker county, where he has since made his home. He has been connected with several of the town offices since his coming here, and merits and receives the warmest esteem and respect of ail wlio know liini.

U])on tlie Otli of August, 1841, Mr. Boynton and Miss Euth Eaton, jjledged their mutual vows at the marriage altar. Tlie lady is a native of Kova Scotia, and daughter of Guy and Lydia (Rockwell) Eaton, natives of Nova Scotia, who had moved to the above province some time before the l)irtli of their daughter. By this union Mr. and Mrs. Boynton have a family of nine children, as follows: Mary Ann, wife of Andrew Gilchrist; Albert, in Minneapoh's ; Lewyn, who married Miss Lizzie Abbott, and is living in Eden Valley ; Louisa, Mrs. "Wra. Peters; Charles; Eldora, the wife of Rollin Thorp, of "Wright county ; Lizzie, wjio married Rev. L. L. Tower, and is living at Princeton, this State ; Alonzo, residing at home ; and Effie, Mrs. D. Lounsberry, of Manannah township.

Mr. Bovnton is a life-long democrat, casting his first vote for the candidate of that party in 1841. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has occujned the position of steward and class leader in that denomination for some time, and was quite prominently identified with the building up of the congregation at Forest Citv.

/^^\NE OF THE enterprising farmers of VS^/ Kingston toAvnship is H. Y. Rumsey, who lives on section 8, township 120, range 29 west, where he also carries on stock raising. He is a native of Cortland county, N. Y., Ijorn April 27, 1848, and is the son of L. H. and Mary A. (A'incent) Rumsey, who came to INIinnesota, in 1868, from "Wisconsin, where tliev had been living for vears, and settled in Kingston, where they still live. Our suljject was one of two children born to his parents, his sister being the wife of Kelson Turner, of whom a sketch is given elsewhere in thisAi.nrM.

The subject of this memoir spent bis school days in Fond da Lac county, Wis., and, until attaining his majority, assisted his father in the labor of carrying on the farm. He came with the family to this county, and, after coming of age, engaged in agricultural pursuits upon his own account, taking up a homestead, where he now lives, and to which he has added until he now owns ISO acres of fine land. He was married. New Year's day, 1873, to Miss Anna M. Kline, a native of Michigan, born in Flint, Genesee county, October IS, IS-iO, and daughter of James A. and Ann (Shimin) Kline. She was reared and educated in Winnebago county, 111., whither her parents had moved at an early day, and came to this county with the family. A biography of hor father appears in the pages of this volume.

By their union Mr. and Mrs. Riunsey are the parents of one child - Elton K., born October 26, 1S78. Mr. Rumsey is a democrat in his political views, and usually supports the candidates and measures of that organization. He is the jjresent treasurer of school district No. 7i. and has held that office since it was organized.

fOHN HURLEY, one of the pioneers of Meeker county, and one of its i-epreseutative men, is a resident of Ellsworth township, and is engaged in carrying on his farm on section 8. He came here in 1S5S, and took up his claim where he now lives, and there remained until the Indian troubles of 1862. During those fearful, tragic days he left here and went to Fremont and Clearwater, and from thence back to Kins'ston, and from there, finall}', to what is now Darwin, where he remained some two years. He then returned to his farm, where he has ever since made his home. His original claim consisted of some 160 acres, but he now has nearly doulile that number of acres, and his farm is Ijrought, to a hio'li state of cultivation.

Mr. Hurley is a native of that "bright gem of the sea," Ireland, born in County Cork in the year 1S2.5, and is the son of Dennis and Mary (DriscoU) Hurley, both of Avhom were, also, natives of the Emei'ald Isle. Dennis Hurley died in his native land in 18i7, and his widow came to the United States in 1864 or 1805, and after a stay in New York and Pittsburg, came to Minneapolis, and from thence to this county, where she died September 29. 1872. They were the parents of seven children, one of whom died in infancy.

Mr. Hui'ley, of whom we write, was united in marriage in February, 1S51, with Miss Ellen White, who was born in Ireland in May, 1819, and who came to America with her parents in 1844, and settled in Pittsburg, Pa. She died in March, 1887, having been the mother of four children - Mary. Ellen, Ann and John. Mary died in Pennsylvania in 1857, at the age of two years ; John died October 15. 1887, of typhoid fever, the others are at home with their father.

In his political views Mr. Hurley is entirely independent of paity lines, and non-partisan in the discharge of his elective franchise. He has held the office of director of his school district, and takes great interest in all educational work. As a progressive, enterprising man he is the peer of any in the town.

/^^ RICK W. NELSON, a young and euter- \^^ prising farmer of Dassel township, is also engaged, in company with N. J. Lind, in carrying on the saloon business in the village of that name. He is a native of Sweden, born among its beautiful scenes

October 14, 1856, anil is the son of Peter and Mary ]SIelson. lie came to America, when but twelve years of age, in company with his parents, who took up railroad land and settleil on section 35, Dassel township, in 1868, where the father of our subject made his homo until overtaken by death in 1S83. Erick remained with Jiis parents upon the family homestead until their death, and then came to the village, of Dassel, and was employed as a clerk in a store until May, 1886, when he embarked in the saloon business, as above mentioned. He is carrying on a farm of sixty acres, a portion of the parental estate, and has made quite a success in life for a young man. Self-reliant, without obstrusiveness, and straight forward in his dealings, he is bound to succeed in life, and his business tact will insure his financial elevation.

"OHN PETERSON, better known as B. W. Peterson, one of the leading farmers of Collinwood township, and one of its most enterprising citizens, is a native of Sweden, born October IS, 1825, and is the son of Peter Johnson and his wife, Jennie (Matson) Johnson. He was reared and educated in his native land, and was an inmate of his father's house until he liad attained the age of thirty-eight. December 25, 1850, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Olson, and for three years thereafter made his home with the old folks. Purchasing a timber farm, he then took up his residence upon it, and made it his home until 1867, clearing off the timber and cultivating its soil, when 'he sold out and emigrated to the new world in search of a home in the land of the free. Coming to Minnes(jta on landing, he at first settled in Carver county, but two years after removed to this county and purchased eighty acres of land on section ?>G, Collinwood townshi]), where he now lives. All of the improvements upon his place are the result of his own enei'gy and diligence, and are a credit to his industry.

Mr. and Mrs. I'eterson are the parents of six children, of whom the following is the record - Jennie, born March 17, 1852, married Paul Anderson, and lives in Wright county; Olof, born January 24, 1860, married Miss Betsy Larsen, and resides in this township; Martha, born August 24, 1854, and is the wife of B. N. Peterson, of Cokato, this State; John, born September 6, 1862; Peter, who was born in 1857 and died in 1859; and Peter, born in 1865 and died in 1877. Although a poor man when he came here, Mr. Peterson has, by the exercise of excellent judgment and hard work, placed himself in acondition of comparative comfort.

M^NDREW LARSON, who resides on sec- _^^ tion 16, Litclilield township, is one of the most extensive farmers and stock-raisers in Meeker county. He was born in Sweden on the 31st of October, 1843, but left his native land with his parents, John and Celia Larson, and came to America in 1857. The family came direct to Meeker countj^ Minn., and settled on section 9, Litchfield township. Andrew remained with his parents about one year thereafter, and then voluntarily threw himself on his own resources, and began the struggle of life alone, working as a farm hand at small monthly wages. "When the Indian outbreak came he was yet a mere boy, but entered into the contest for the protection of life and ]H'operty with the spirit of a veteran. On that fatal Suiulay, August 17, 186;^, he was at a gathering of citizens of the neigiiborhood at the old Pi])ley ]iostottice, where they were discussing the matter of securing substitutes to go into the array, when the news came of the killing of five persons at Acton. The next day he went over to the scene with the party raised for the rescue and protection of the people in that neighborliood. Andrew was detailed, along with Andrew Ingerman to go to lakes Lillian and Elizabeth and extend the alarm to the settlers thereabouts. At first the settlers were loth to believe the story, and were with difficulty induced to flee for their lives. Andrew remained with the garrison at Forest City until the 15th of September, when he was sworn into the State service with the rest of the original company. After returning from the campaign with this company he enlisted in Company C, Mounted Hangers of the United States service, for one year, and did duty on the frontierduring the time, protecting settlers, and witnessed many evidences of Indian atrocity and brutality that were blood-curdling and heart-rending in the extreme, and also participated in several 'engagements with the red skins. In the fall of 1863 he was honorably discharged from this service, and in August, 1864, enlisted in Company 13, Eleventh Minnesota Infantry, and remained in the service until the close of the war. The reo'iment was first assigned to the Second Army Corps, but was subsequently ordered to Nashville to assist General Thomas in resisting Hood's great Tennessee raid. The regiment was engaged in the battle of Nashville, and afterward did patrol duty on the Nashville & Chattanooga railroad. On the 26th of June, 1865, Mr. Larson was mustered out of service, and on returning home took an eighty-acre homestead and at once began improving it.

In 1S68 Andrew Larson was married to Anna Larson, daughter of Peter Larson, whose farm adjoined the homestead belonging to Andrew's father. Anna Larson was born on the 6th of January, 1849. Their marriage has been blessed witli four children, all of whom are living at home. Their names are Alice E., Edward A., Charlotte

M., and Harry J. Mr. Larson has taken a commendable interest in public matters, and has held various offices of a local character;, he has held the office of constable for about sixteen years, doing duty in some of themost trying times in the history of th& county. His industry and careful management have enal)led him to acquire a good share of this world's goods, and he is now well oif . He owns a farm of over a thousand acres, most of which is under cultivation.

I^ON. MICHAEL J. FLYNN. Among the honored citizens of the village of Litchfield there are very few that hold the place in the esteem and respect of the community to the degree that Mr. Flynn does_ Closely connected with the business and social life of the place, an honored and representative pioneer citizen of Meeker county,, and the talented and worthy recipient of legislative laurels bestowed by this people, heoccupies a prominent place in its annals.